Portable electric lantern with swivel-type lamp assembly



Jul); 7,` i970 R. E. BRINDLEY Erm. 3,519,812

PORTABLE ELECTRIC LANTERN WITH SWIVEL-TYPE LAMP`ASSEMBLY Fi-.led Feb. 29, 1968 y 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 T1 215.2295@ w 40 ZZ 4 33/ 43 45 J/ /4/19 39 4 T if f 27 T Z//j j? 4 g1 /a 3;/ ,il 5 j 25A $.64" El f, w62 @6 i@ f/ 1,; 40"" 1 W' MHH-'VV ff /9/` I Zf/ g /f/ ig Inf f y L f M July?, 1970 R, E, BRlNDLEY ET AL 3,519,812

PORTABLE ELECTRIC LANTERN WITH SWIVEL-TYPE LAMP ASSEMBLY Filed Feb. 29. 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 PW BY /fl l A\ Tf1- @1 United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 240-10.6 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A portable electric lantern consisting of a lantern case and top cover containing therein a conventional lantern battery and a swivel-type lamp assembly mounted on top of the top cover and adapted by means of an adjustable lamp post to be elevated above the top cover for illuminating the surface on which the lantern is placed during use. The lamp assembly-may be swiveled or rotated to any desired position in a plane susbtantially parallel to the surface to be illuminated. An electrical circuit is incorporated within the lantern for carrying electrical current from the battery to the lamp assembly and includes switch means for automatically turning on the lamp when the lamp assembly is elevated above the top cover.

This invention relates to portable electric lanterns and has as its principal object to provide for certain novel improvements in a portable electric lantern and especially the provision of a novel swivel-type lamp assembly.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a novel portable electric lantern consisting essentially of a lantern case including a top cover of such size ias to contain therein a conventional lantern battery and a swiveltype lamp assembly adapted to be elevated above the top cover for illuminating the surface on which the lantern is placed during use. The lamp assembly is supported by an adjustable lamp post which is slideably mounted within a journal housing provide on the top cover. When the lantern is not being used, the lamp assembly is mounted directly on top of the top cover with the lamp post being fully retractable within the lantern case. To operate the lantern, the lamp assembly is elevated above the top cover by pulling it upwardly-so as to withdraw the lamp post from the lantern case and may then be swiveled or rotated about the axis of the lamp post to any desired position in a plane substantially parallel to the surface to be illuminated. An electrical circuit including switch means is incorporated within the lantern and is Operable to automatically turn on the lamp-when the lamp assembly is elevated above the top of the lantern'.

When the lamp assembly is placed down on top of the top cover during the time that the lantern is not being used, there is provided a very compact lantern package which is both pleasing in appearance and capable of being stored away in a minimum of space. The lantern as a whole is designed to direct substantially all of the light from the lamp assembly onto the surface on which the lantern is placed and thus is ideally suited for use as a patio, nursery or emergency light, for example.

In the following description, reference will be made by way of example to one form of a portable electric lantern devised in accordance with the invention and` illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of the portable electric lantern showing in dotted lines the position of the swiveltype lamp assembly when elevated above the top of the lantern;

IFIG. 2 is an elevational cross-sectional view of the lantern showing its construction in detail;

ice

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG'. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an elevational cross-sectional view of the adjustable lamp post showing a portion of the top lamp cover employed in the lamp assembly; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a journal bushing for mounting the adjustable lamp post showing a part of the switch means for automatically operating the lamp.

Referring now to the drawing in detail and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown one form of the portable electric lantern designated generally at 10. As shown, the lantern includes an elongated, rectangular lantern case 11 and top cover 12 of such size as to contain therein a conventional lantern battery 14 having coil-type terminals at the top thereof, i.e. a diagonal positive coil terminal 15 and a central negative coil terminal 16. The top cover 12 is formed with flanged peripheral edges as at 17, 17 `which iit down over the upper edges of the lantern case 11. Indicated at 18 is the novel swivel-type lamp assembly which is shown mounted directly on top of the top cover 12. As shown in dotted lines in FIG. l, the lamp assembly as a whole is adapted to be elevated above the top cover 12 for illuminating the surface on which the lantern is placed during operation. The lamp assembly is supported in its elevated position by means of an adjustable lamp post 19. As shown in FIG. 2, when the lamp assembly is mounted on top of the top cover 12, the lamp post 19 is retractably received within one corner edge of the lantern case 11 which is formed with an elongated, round or semi-cylindrical lamp post receptacle as shown at 20'. The top cover 12 is also formed at the corresponding corner edge with a tubular lamp post journal housing 21 for mounting the adjustable lamp post 19 as shall be described in greater detail hereinafter. For ease of manufacture, the lantern case 11, top cover 12 and all parts of the lamp assembly unless otherwise indicated are formed integrally where possible and are preferably molded of an electrically non-conductive plastic material.

More particularly now, the lamp assembly consists essentially of a generally rectangular top lamp cover 22, amp -bulb 23 yand a transparent lens 24. The lamp cover 22 is opaque and preferably is molded of a colored plastic material. Desirably, the lamp cover 22 is of a color different fromthat of the lantern case 11 and its top cover 12 for decorative effect.. The transparent lens 24 may suitably be molded of clear plastic material and is of a generally rectangular shape corresponding in size to that of the top cover 12. The transparent lens 24 is formed ywith a bottom wall 25 and four upstanding side walls as at 26, 26 (FIG. l). These side wall members of the transparent len 24 are suitably joined to the peripheral edges of the lamp cover 22 by means of scarf joints as indicated at27 in FIG. 2. The side walls of the transparent lens 24 may be suitably coated with a. translucent material so that the light passing therethrough is at least partially dispersed which is ideal in the case -where the lantern is used as a patio lamp for, example.

The rectangular top cover 22 is of a somewhat prismatic configuration with its top surfaces being gradually tapered downward from one corner edge toward each one of its other corner edges as best shown in FIG. 1. At the corner edge from which its top surfaces are downwardly tapered, the lamp cover 22 is formed with a tubular base portion 29. The tubular base portion 29 is partially defined by an arcuate shaped, depending wall member 30 formed on the underneath side of the lamp cover 22 as best shown in FIG. 4. The lamp post 19 is formed at its upper end with a post plug 31 'which fits within the tubular base portion 29 at the corner edge of the lamp cover 22. At its top end the post plug 31 is formed with an hexagonal protuberance 32 which fits |Within a correspondingly shaped depending flange 33 formed 'within the tubular base portion 29 as best shown in FIG. 5. The lamp cover 22 is then xedly secured to the upper end of the lamp post 19 by suitably joining the protuberance 32 on the post plug 31 to the depending ange 33 as ultrasonic Welding techniques, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tubular journal housing 21 for mounting the adjustable lamp post 19 is formed integrally with the dlanged peripheral edges (17, 17) of the top cover 12 and is adapted to t down over the top edges of the lamp post receptacle 20 formed on the lantern case 11. The tubular housing 21 protrudes or extends above the top cover 12 at the corresponding edge thereof a distance Which is at least equal to the height of the upstanding Wall members (26, 26') of the transparent lens 24. The transparent lens 24 is shaped at this corner edge in an arcuate fashion in order to tit around the protruding tubular housing 21 when the lamp assembly is mounted over the top cover 12 (FIG. 4). Mounted Within the tubular housing 21 is a cylindrical journal bushing 35 formed With a longitudinal bore 36 as best shown in FIG. 6. The adjust-able lamp post 19 is freely tted through the bore 36 and adapted to slide therethrough along its full length with the lower end portions thereof being retractably received Within the lamp post receptacle 20 formed along the corner edge of the lantern case 11. For reasons to become apparent hereinafter, the lamp post 19 and bore 36 are of a non-circular crosssection in order to prohibit rotation of the lamp post 19 within the journal bushing 35. Preferably, though not necessarily, the lamp post 19 and bore 36 are of an hexagonal shape in transverse section as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. To prevent its lateral movement within the tubular housing 21, the journal bushing 35 is formed iwith a circumferential locking lug 37 'which engages with a corresponding slot or groove provided on the inner Wall of the tubular housing 21 as shown in FIG` 2.

With the assembly just described, it will be seen that the lamp assembly as a Whole may be easily elevated or raised above the top cover 12 by simply pulling it upwardly causing the adjustable lamp post 19 to slide through the journal bushing 35 and to be Withdrawn nearly the full length thereof from Within the round or semi-cylindrical lamp post receptacle 20 on the lantern case 11. Once the lamp assembly has been elevated, the rotatable journal bushing 35 enables the lamp assembly to be rotated or swiveled fully through 360 degrees about the axis of the lamp post 19 in a plane substantially parallel to the surface to be illuminated. To return the lamp assembly to its position on top of the top cover 12, the user need only push down on the lamp assembly causing the lamp post 19 to slide through the bore 36 and back into the lamp post receptacle 20, While at the same time aligning the lamp assembly so as to iit properly on top of the top cover 12. With the lamp assembly mounted over the top cover, it will be seen that the lantern as la whole is both pleasing in appearance and very compact so as to enable it to be stored away in a minimum of space if so desired.

When operating the lantern, the lamp assembly may be elevated above the top cover 12 to a height equivalent Electrical circuit means are provided in the lantern for carrying electrical current from the battery 14 to the lamp -bulb 23 when the lamp assembly is elevated to its operable position above the top cover 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the lamp bulb 23 is mounted Within a cylindrical flange 39 formed with supporting rib members as at 39 onthe underneath side of the lamp cover 22. A pair of electrical conductor rods 40, 41, suitably of brass, for example, are mounted one each on opposite sides of the lamp post 19. The conductor rods 40, 41 are positioned within elongated slots or grooves as at 42 (FIG. 5 formed on the opposite sides of the lamp post 19. These grooves are semi-circular in cross-section such that a portion of the surfaces of the conductor rods `41), 41 protrude or extend beyond the side walls of the lamp post 19. At the top of the lamp post 19, the conductor rods 40, 41 are mounted within slots or grooves 43, 44 provided Within the post plug 31 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The rods 40, 41 are formed or bent at a right angle to pass through corresponding slots at the top of the post plug 31 as at 45 (FIG. 2) and then into the underneath side portion of the lamp cover 22 through openings 46, 47 formed Within the arcuate depending wall members 30 as best shown in FIG. 4. One of the conductor rods 40 passes through an opening 48 in the side Wall of the cylindrical flange 39 and is coiled to form a terminal post Within which the threaded base of the lamp bul-b 23 may be mounted. The other conductor rod `41 passes through opening 49 in the cylindrical flange 39 and is supported at its flattened end upon a depending tongue 50 to serve as the other base terminal post for the lamp bulb 23. It will thus be seen that the cylindrical flange 39 together with the coiled and flattened ends of the conductor rods 40, 41 forms an electrical socket for mounting the lamp bulb 23 Within the lamp assembly.

As-shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the top cover 12 incorporates battery terminal contact means in the form of a substantially U-shaped metal plate 51 and a center contact arm 52,1both suitably of brass, for example. The U-shaped plate 51 is mounted to the underneath side of an insulating ber board pad 53 by means of rivets as at 54. The center contact arm 52 is mounted to the top or opposite side of the insulated pad 53 similarly by means of rivets as at 55. The ,contact arm 52 is formed with a circular button portion 52 which is positioned over the top of a central aperture 56 formed Within the insulating pad 53 and is adapted to make electrical contact with the central coil terminal 16 of the battery 14. The U-shaped plate 51 surrounds the aperture 56 and is adapted to make electrical contact with the diagonal coil terminal 15 of the battery 14. The insulating pad 53- is maintained in place by means of four lugs as at 57 formed Within each one of the interior corner edges of the top cover 12. These lugs nearly to the full length of the lamp post 19. To prevent Y lock the pad 53 firmly against supporting ribs 58 (FIG. 2) formed integrally on the underneath side of the top cover 12.

The coil-type battery terminals 15, 16 are maintained in pressure contact with the U-shaped plate 51 and the button portion 52 of the contact arm 52 by securely mounting the top cover 12 over the upper edges of the lantern case 11. For this purpose, the top cover 12 0n the opposite ange peripheral edges (17, 17') is provided with elongated locking detents 59, 60 which engage with corresponding slots formed within the upper edges of the lantern case 11 as shown at 61 in FIG. 2.

The U-shaped plate 51 and center contact arm 52 mounted on the insulating pad 53 are formed respectively With wiper contacts 62, 63 which make continuous electrical contact with a pair of armature-type Contact rings 64, 65 mounted at the lower end of the journal bushing 35 as best shown yin FIGS. 3 and 6. The armature-type contact rings 64, 65 may suitably be composed of brass, for example.

As shown in enlarged detail in FIG. 6, the armaturetype contact rings 64, 65 are mounted respectively to the side wallsv of an annular cap 66 and an electrical insulating spacer ring 67, both suitably molded of plastic material. The cap 66 and spacer ring 67 are mounted to a reduced diameter lower end portion of the journal bushing 35Vas shown at 35. The bushing cap 66 may be suitably secured tothe lower edges of the reduced diameter end portion 35 as by ultrasonic welding techniques, for example.

The armature-type contact ring 64 mounted to the annular cap 66 is formed integrally with an upwardly extending leaf spring 468. The leaf spring 68 resides within a longitudinal slot `69 provided within the lower end of the hexagonal bore 36 and is adapted to make continuous sliding contact with the conductor rod 40 mounted on the lamp post 19.

The armature-type contact ring 65 mounted to the spacer Vring 67 is formed integrally with an upwardly extending leaf spring 70 which resides within an opposite longitudial slot or groove 71 provided within the lower end of the -bore 36. This leaf spring 70 is adapted to make continuous sliding contact with the other conductor rod 41 mounted on the lamp post 19.

Itwill thus be seen that the lantern of the invention is providedl with an electrical circuit which is capable of carrying electrical current from the terminals 15, 16 of the battery 14 to the lamp bulb 23 in any position lto which the lamp assembly may be placed during -the use of the lantern. Thus, when the lamp assembly is elevated to its operable position above the top cover 12, electrical current is continuously carried from the battery 14 to the lamp bulb 23 by means of the continuous sliding contact achieved between the leaf springs 68, 70 and the'conductor rods 4041. The leaf springs 68, 70 also provide means for maintaining vthe lamp post 19 and hence the lamp assembly in elevated position during operation of the lantern. Since the lamp post 19 because of its hexagonal shape is locked against rotational movement within the journal bushing 35, the conductor rods 40, 41 are always maintained in alignment with the leaf springs 68, 70; When the lamp assembly is then swiveled or rotated about the axis of the lamp post 19, electrical current is continuously supplied to the lamp bulb 23 through the continuous sliding contact achieved between the wiper contacts 62, 63 and the armature-type`contact rings 64, 65 regardless of the particular4 position to which the lamp assembly may be swiveled or rotated during use of the lantern.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of novel switch means for automatically operating the lantern when the lamp assembly is elevated above the top cover 12. The switch means is in the form of an inwardly directed detent 72 provided within one of the conductor rods 40 as shown inFIG.' 5. The detent 72 is located on the conductor rodl 40 in alignment with the leaf spring 68 when the lamp assembly is placed directly over the top cover 12 as shownin FIG. 2. In this position of thelamp assembly, the electrical circuit will remain open due to the location of the detent 72 which prevents the leaf `spring 68 from making electrical contact with the conductor rod 40 and thus no electrical current will ow through the circuit to illuminate the lamp bulb 23. However, when the lamp assembly is elevated to its operative position above the top cover 12, the lamp post 19 is withdrawn or raised from within the elongated, round or semi-cylindrical lamp post receptacle 20 causing the detent 72 to be displaced upwardly and the leaf spring 68 to then come into contactwith the conductor rod 40, thus completing the circuit and automatically turning on the lamp. When it is desired to turn the lamp olf, the lamp assembly is merely lowered or returned to its position directly over the top cover 12 whereupon the detent 72 is again placed in alignment with the leaf spring 68, thus disconnecting the circuit.

When the lamp assembly is mounted over the top cover 12 in its position when not in use, proper alignment of the lamp assembly with the top cover 12 is attained by the provision of a locking lug 73 formed integrally with the bottom of the post plug 31. This lug 73 is adapted to register with a corresponding slot or groove formed within the upper peripheral edges of the tubular journal housing 21, preventing rotation of the lamp assembly once it has been positioned over the top cover 12.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the provision of the U-shaped contact plate 51 which makes it possible to attain electrical connection with the diagonal coil terminal 15 of the battery 14 in any of the four different positions in which the battery may be placed within the lantern case 11, i.e., with the terminal coil 15 located at either one of the four corners of the lantern case 11. Thus, it is convenient and simple for the user to install or replace the battery without regard to the particular position of the coil terminals when the battery is placed in the lantern.

To facilitate removal of the top cover 12 for installing or replacing the battery 14, an embossed or serrated finger grip 74 may be provided just below the upper edges of the lantern case 11. The user need only apply a slight pressure with his lingers against these finger grips to disengage the locking detents 59, 60 formed within the top cover 12.

Many modications may of course be made in the portable electric lantern as will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Thus while the lantern has been described herein with reference to the use of transparent lens, it is entirely possible to construct the lantern with a translucent or colored translucent lens such as a red lens for use `in a photcrdark room, for example.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable electric lantern comprising, in combination:

a lantern case including a top cover containing therein' a lantern battery having terminals thereon;

a lamp assembly adapted to fit directly on top of said top cover and including a top lamp cover, lamp bulb and a lens mounted beneath said lamp cover;

an adjustable lamp post for supporting said lamp assembly at the upper end portion thereof and for elevating said lamp assembly above said top cover when in use;

a lamp post housing formed on an edge portion of said top cover;

a lamp post receptacle formed in a corresponding portion of said lantern case for retractably receiving the lower end portion of said] lamp post when said assembly is fitted on top of said. top cover;

means associated with said top cover for rotatably mounting said lamp post whereby said lamp assembly may be swiveled about the axis of said lamp post in a plane substantially parallel to the surface to be illuminated; and

electrical circuit means for carrying electrical current from the terminals of said battery through said lamp post and to said lamp bulb within said lamp assembly.

2. The portable electric lantern as defined by claim 1 wherein said electrical circuit means includes switch means for automatically turning on the lamp when the lamp assembly is elevated above said top cover.

3. A portable electric lantern comprising, in combination:

a rectangular lantern case and top cover of such size as to contain therein a lantern battery having terminals at the top thereof;

a lamp assembly adapted to lit directly on top of said top cover and including a top lamp cover, electrical socket means on the underneath side of said lamp cover, a lamp bulb within said electrical socket means and a lens mounted beneath said lamp cover;

an adjustable lamp post for supporting said lamp assembly at the upper end portion thereof and adapted to elevate said lamp assembly above said top cover when in use;

a tubular housing formed at one corner edge of said top cover;

a lamp post receptacle formed along the corresponding corner edge of said lantern case for retractably receiving the lower end portion of said lamp post when said lamp assembly is tted on top of said top cover;

journal bushing means rotatably mounted within said tubular housing formed on said top cover and having a bore therethrough for slideably mounting said lamp post; and

electrical circuit means including a pair of conductor rods mounted along the length of said lamp post for carrying electrical current from the terminals of said battery to said lamp bulb within said lamp assembly.

4. The portable electric lantern as defined by claim 3 wherein said electrical circuit means includes switch means for automatically turning -on the lamp when the lamp assembly is elevated above said top cover.

5. A portable electric lantern comprising in combination:

a rectangular lantern case and top cover of such size as to contain therein a lantern battery having a central coil-type terminal and a diagonal coil-type terminal at the top thereof; thereof;

a lamp assembly adapted to fit directly on top of said top cover and including a rectangular top lamp cover, electrical socket means formed on the underneath side of said lamp cover, a lamp bulb within said electrical socket means and a rectangular transparent lens having upstanding side wall members aixed to the peripheral edge portions of said lamp cover, said transparent lens being of a size corresponding to that of said top cover;

an adjustable lamp post for supporting said lamp assembly at the upper end portions thereof and adapted to elevate said lamp assembly above said top cover when in use;

a tubular housing formed at one corner edge of said top cover;

a lamp -post receptacle formed along the corresponding corner edge of said lantern case for retractably receiving the lower end portion of said lamp post when said lamp assembly is tted on top of said top cover;

a journal bushing rotatably mounted within said tubular housing formed on said top cover and having a longitudinal bore therethrough for slideably mounting said lamp post;

armature-type contact rings mounted in spaced-apart relation on said journal bushing and making electrical contact with said conductor rods mounted within said lamp post, and

means for maintaining continuous electrical contact between each of said armature-type contact rings and the terminals of said battery.

6. The portable electric lantern as delined by claim 5 wherein said top lamp cover is mounted on the upper end portions of said lamp post by means of a post plug secured within a tubular base portion formed at one corner edge of said lamp cover.

7. The portable electric lantern as defined by claim 5 wherein said side wall members of said transparent lens are coated with a translucent material.

8. The portable electric lantern as dened by claim 5 wherein a generally U-shaped metal plate and a center contact arm are mounted to the underneath side of said top cover for making electrical contact respectively with said diagonal coil terminal and said central coil terminal at the top of said battery.

9. The portable electric lantern of claim 8 wherein said generally U-shaped metal plate and center contact arm are mounted on an insulating pad having a central aperture therein, said contact arm being positioned over said aperture for making electrical contact with said central coil terminal of said battery.

10. The portable electric lantern as defined by claim 8 wherein said generally U-shaped metal plate and center contact arm are formed with wiper contacts for making continuous electrical contact with each of said armaturetype contact rings mounted on said journal bushing.

11. The portable electric lantern as defined by claim 5 wherein said armature-type contact rings mounted on said journal bushing are formed with leaf spring contacts positioned within said longitudinal bore for making continuous electrical contact with each one of said conductor rods mounted on said lamp post.

12. The portable electric lantern as defined by claim 11 wherein said lamp post and longitudinal bore are formed of a non-circular shape in transverse section for prohibiting rotation of said lamp post within said journal bushing and for maintaining alignment between said leaf spring contacts and said conductor rods mounted on said lamp post.

13. The portable electric latern as defined by claim 12 wherein said lamp post and longitudinal bore are of an hexagonal shape in cross-section.

14. The portable electric lantern as dened by claim 12 wherein one of said conductor rods is formed with an inwardly directed detent adapted to break contact with one of said leaf spring contacts positioned Within said longitudinal bore when said lamp assembly is tted on top of said top cover, thereby discontinuing the ow of electrical current to said lamp bulb.

15. The portable electric lantern as dened by claim 5 wherein said electrical socket means within said lamp assembly is formed by a cylindrical flange depending from the underneath side of said top lamp cover, one end of one of said conductor rods being coiled with said cylindrical flange and one end of the other conductor rod being attened and positioned at the bottom end of said cylindrical flange.

16. The portable electric lantern as defined by claim 5 wherein the bottom end of said lamp post is provided with an end cap.

17. The portable electric lantern as defined by claim 5 wherein the upper end of said lantern case is provided with locking detents for securing said top cover to said lantern case.

18. The portable electric lantern as dened by claim 17 wherein the upper edges of said lantern case are provided with a serrated grip below said locking detents for releasing said detents when said top cover is removed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/ 1941 Hummert 24U-10.6 3/1968 Rowed et al. 24U-10.64

U.S. Cl. X.R. 240-l0.67, 123 

